The Kent & East Sussex district website of The Forty Club

Welcome

Congratulations, you have reached the home page of the Kent & East Sussex district of The Forty Club or, as the logo infers, the XL Club. The Club was founded in 1936 with membership originally being for those of 40 years or over and is reputed to be the largest wandering cricket Club in the world. Having been created originally for players of over 40 years of age, and being still the leading UK cricket club created for that purpose, the Forty Club now accepts membership from players of 18 years and older. This is not to say that there has been any diminution in the standard or example of play that we wish to set: we particularly want to fill the gap between the ages of say 28 and 45 when cricketers are leaving league cricket, are looking for quality midweek non-league games, and who are not yet old enough for their county senior sides. In many respects the Forty Club is the pathway to the county over 50s sides. - separate conditions exist for school teachers (please see main Forty Club website).

The Kent & East Sussex District also includes part of the London metropolitan area south of the Thames and east of a line running approximately south from Southwark and Lambeth to Tatsfield, including Walworth, Penge and Norwood. Dulwich is also included in our district.

The historic aim of the Club since its foundation in 1936 has been ‘to take cricket to the schools’ by offering State and Public Schools, and Youth XIs, fixtures against experienced cricketers who will encourage the young cricketers to play the game to the highest standards of performance and behavior and in the best spirit of the game. Nowadays, most of the 130 or so schools, colleges and youth XIs that we play are able to enjoy the services of professional coaching so we can leave the performance side of the game to them. Meanwhile the Forty Club will continue to encourage the qualities of the Spirit of Cricket, to encourage the young men and women to play cricket, stay in the game, enjoy it, develop their skills and to applaud and recognise good performance. Today membership is concentrated in those who have played 1st XI club cricket. Age is no obstacle to ability.

As a wandering club, the Forty Club does not own a ground, but enjoys a huge membership nationwide plus a number overseas. Under a central administration, the UK is divided into 12 Districts each with its own Chairman responsible for matches in his area and for social activities to bring members together.

Club members may apply for any match that the Club plays in, not just those within a member's own district. Just contact (as early as possible) the respective Match Manager who's details will be found in the fixture card issued annually to members.

Foreign Tours and Inter District competitions, etc. are held each year - check out the other pages on this site and the various links for further information.